PTI leader seeks Sindh to release three key investigation reports

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi President Ali Zaidi on Saturday said that the PTI has submitted a request to Chief Secretary Sindh in writing over the release of probing reports in cases concerning Baldia Factory fire, notorious Lyari gang-war head Uzair Baloch and Nisar Morai’s involvement in murder of former Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) chairperson Sajjad Hussain.

Talking to media persons, the PTI Karachi president said that the request letter has been dispatched, adding that the facts should be made public in all three cases.

Invoking Right to Information Act, Zaidi said the matter would be challenged in the court if the provincial government shied away from releasing the probe reports.

“Releasing the inquiry report was a matter of public interest since the government was bound under the law to provide the required information to the public,” he added.

Last month, Lahore High Court (LHC) had announced a verdict in favour of the petitioner demanding release of Model Town incident report which claimed 14 lives of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) activists.

It is worth mentioning here that Upper House of the parliament in August this year passed the much-demanded access to information bill, which grants citizens complete access to the record of public authorities.

Under the ‘Right of Access to Information Bill 2017’ there will be no access to the official record of armed forces, defence installations, details of individuals’ bank accounts, defence and national security. But information regarding defence-related commercial and welfare activities can be accessed.

Any Pakistani citizen can make a request for seeking information regarding public offices by paying some amount, which will be fixed later. The principal officer in these departments will have to provide the applicant with the relevant information within three to 10 days.